Esch added, “It took six or seven years from idea to published book. I had a full-time job when I began writing it and then started working on it full-time about three and a half years ago.”
Success didn’t arrive in one fell swoop though. She recalls the ever increasing stack of rejection letters received from publishing companies.
“I had lots of ups and downs, lots of interest and lots of kind rejections,” Esch said. “It was a real rollercoaster ride.”
She never recalls entertaining the thought of giving up. Instead, she mustered up more than enough tenacity to perfect her craft.
“I loved the story too much and I loved writing it too much,” Esch said.
That unprecedented pizzazz earned her a contract about a year ago. Only a month after that milestone, it made the semifinals in the Christian Writers Guild’s Operation First Novel 2010 contest.
“I love getting lost in a story and laughing and crying when I go back to edit it,” Esch said. “It’s a hoot!”
Area readers of her work will most assuredly encounter a familiar world, as the “lion’s share” of the book setting is in Albert Lea, otherwise fictionally known as Amber Leaf.
“I take the reader down the familiar roads of town ... Broadway, East William, Fountain Street, Newton Avenue, Charles Street, and River Lane,” Esch said. “I also mention the dime store, the band shell, a few of the banks, the library, the jailhouse, Katherine Island and Naeve Hospital. I have made up a few others too (The Copper Kettle and the Law Office of T.W. “Tryg” Howland, III).”
She hopes every last nose will find its time inside Tracks in the Snow spellbinding. It’s also her wish for everyone to remain transfixed by the power of forgiveness, strong will and good character depicted throughout the pages.
“My heroine, Jo, lives in the house where we used to live,” Esch said. “She is a spin-off character of my grade school dental assistant Joey. She was always so kind to me, and even took me to the dime store and bought me a big piece of white cake with coconut frosting. So when thinking up a name for my heroine, I picked Jo.”
Although well past the press hurdles, so many unknowns tag along with publication. Even if just for a brief moment, she sometimes wonders, “Will the readers like the book? Will I get a bad review? Will the book take off?”
“Then there’s the next book to write, or the next series,” Esch said. “The challenge of getting and keeping your sales numbers up. There’s a lot to it that keeps you humble and grounded in reality.”
As a matter of fact, this faith-grounding book is the first of a trilogy. She is currently putting the finishing touches to the second of the series, Somewhere Between Raindrops.
“My husband is reading the second manuscript,” Esch said. “When he’s done (so far he likes it very much), I will make one last round of changes and then submit it. The third one, The House at the End of the Road, is all mapped out and ready to begin writing.”
The long-time California resident would like to extend a heartfelt word of thanks to all those that showed up for the recent book signing in Albert Lea December 10. It could have not gone any better, she so gratefully reports.
“We began setting up at 11:30 p.m. for the noon-to-3 p.m. signing, and actually sold out our supply before noon,“ Esch said. “We had to draw from our backup supply, and soon ran short of books completely, so we began collecting orders and signing bookmarks. Relatives and school friends I hadn’t seen in years showed up, including one driving all the way from Rochester. The entire experience was unusually pleasant and fulfilling with barely a moment of quiet.”
Anyone else eager to purchase a copy is encouraged to order one through Book World in Albert Lea’s Northbridge Mall. Internet wizards can also conveniently purchase one on Amazon.com.
“I’ve done a lot of reading but find few books that make me laugh or cry,” Esch said. “I love reading and writing things that evoke emotions. If readers are looking for that, they will enjoy my book.”
Like her heroine, Jo, she will continue to press onward in her trilogy endeavors, no matter how many detours lie ahead.
“Hometown is like family,“ Esch said. “It’s what I know and love and makes me feel anchored. Like a former minister who once said, ‘I’m just a beggar showing the other beggars where the bread is.’ I love passing on life lessons that have been helpful to me and could possibly be helpful to others.”
